One Green Deed Spawns Another Book Covers Author’s 20-Year Quest for Sustainability and the Inspiring People Behind It One Green Deed Spawns Another is a new book written by green manufacturing consultant, David Mahood. It entails his quest for sustainability and conversations with the sources of his inspiration. If you had one green deed you’d like to see heeded, adopted, and passed on, what would it be and why? The book is a compilation of the answers to that question in the context of a 20-year journey. From green architecture pioneers to green product pioneers, from natural fiber farmers to worm...

BRIDGETOWN, BARBADOS—The Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO), the region’s tourism development agency, is partnering with the ministry of tourism in St. Kitts to host a sustainable tourism forum, with a focus on climate change. Themed, Good for Us, Better for All, the September 6 to 8 Climate Smart Sustainable Tourism Forum is being held in observance of International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development and will bring together local, regional, and international representatives from public and private sector tourism entities, as well as development agencies that offer programming in sustainable tourism, for three days of interactive engagements. Major elements will include best...

BETHESDA, MD.—Over 2,000 Marriott International associates spent a day recently volunteering at 42 sites throughout the District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia culminating in 7,000 hours of volunteer time. Part of Associate Appreciation Week, Spirit To Serve is an opportunity for Marriott’s worldwide community of associates to come together as a team for a global day of service, bridging the company’s business to its communities to drive social impact. “Spirit To Serve Day underscores our core values of putting people first and serving our world,” said Joanne Thomas, Senior Manager of Social Impact. “It’s a day that our associates look forward to...

ORLANDO, FLA.—Clean the World, the nonprofit based here that launched eight years ago, is continuing to grow with widespread support from the global hospitality industry and its suppliers. Clean the World’s mission is two-fold. First, it is to collect and recycle soap and hygiene products discarded every day by the hospitality industry. Second, through the distribution of these and other donated products to impoverished people, the mission is to prevent millions of hygiene-related deaths each year, reduce the morbidity rate for hygiene-related illnesses, and encourage vigorous childhood development. According to Shawn Seipler, Founder and CEO of Clean the World, there...

LAS VEGAS—Jim Murren, MGM Resorts International chairman and CEO, and Heather Hay Murren, a private investor, were presented with the Woodrow Wilson Award for Corporate Citizenship at a dinner earlier this month at the Four Seasons Hotel in Washington, D.C. The award is given to those who, by their example and business practices, have demonstrated a profound concern for the common good beyond the bottom line, acting as a force for positive change. “This recognition by the Wilson Center inspires not only Heather and myself, but the more than 77,000 employees of MGM Resorts around the world who commit themselves...

BRIDGETOWN, BARBADOS—The Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO), the Caribbean’s tourism development agency, and the Travel Foundation, the international agency that promotes the benefits of tourism to people and the environment, are launching a free online sustainable tourism course to help increase knowledge of how to review and plan for the sustainable development of Caribbean tourist destinations. The capacity building online training program, which is available free of charge to ministries, government departments, tourism authorities and tourist boards engaged in destination management in CTO member countries, focuses on the practical dimensions of sustainable tourism, and seeks to introduce participants to key considerations...

DALTON, GA.—J+J Flooring Group, a leading diversified manufacturer of commercial specified flooring, announced that it is introducing two new Luxury Vinyl Tile (LVT) collections. Available immediately, the collections reflect J+J’s 60-year history of developing thoughtfully designed, performance-driven and sustainable products that meet diverse commercial interior end-use applications. Whether matched together or used separately, J+J customers can now choose superior quality LVT products, broadloom and modular carpet and intelligently manufactured textile composite flooring options from Kinetex. This comprehensive portfolio enables designers and specifiers to select the floor covering solution best suited for their design, performance and project needs. Both collections are...

SAN DIEGO—Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina has teamed up with famed San Diego craft brewery Mother Earth to create a one-time brew, Rooftop IPA. The award-winning Marina Kitchen team has collaborated with Mother Earth’s Head Brewer, Chris Baker, to create the special springtime beer, featuring refreshing citrus flavors and raw, organic honey sourced from Marriott’s very own rooftop hives. Handcrafted and kegged at their Vista, Calif. location, the limited-edition beer, best described as a honey citrus IPA, is brewed with Warrior, El Dorado and Simcoe hops. Inspired by springtime with a light and crisp finish, the beer debuts just...

BANGKOK—Teachers across mainland China are improving the lives—and future careers—of Chinese youth by gaining new industry knowledge and teaching techniques through the China Hospitality Education Initiative (CHEI), a project of The J. Willard and Alice S. Marriott Foundation. CHEI was recently presented with the World Travel & Tourism Council’s Tourism for Tomorrow People Award during the 17th WTTC Global Summit in Bangkok. Award submissions were judged by a panel of independent experts, academics, business leaders, and NGO and government representatives. WTTC recognized CHEI for its focus on providing training and professional development resources for teachers across China, improving hospitality and tourism...

Audubon International North America's Original Eco Certification Body Established in 1987, Audubon International is America’s most respected independent Environmental Best Practices Certification organization. Through our multi-tiered Green Hospitality Certification program, we support members and the industry by serving as catalyst for stepped change and authentic sustainability impact. Led by hotel industry professionals, we know how to help hospitality executives establish lasting, meaningful, and measurable results to reach their stewardship goals. Our global science-based standards were donated during the formation of the Global Travel Sustainability Council (GTSC), where we continue to serve as members in good standing. Approved by Prince Harry’s Travalyst,...